Redhawks sign 16 on first day of Samuel's first class

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tony Samuel leaned on two of his former stomping grounds to construct part of his first recruiting class with the Redhawks.

Samuel announced 16 signings on Wednesday when the national letter of intent period began.

The group features two Division I-A transfers already enrolled in school and two junior college transfers, one of whom is also already enrolled in school. The three will be able to participate in spring drills next month.

The Division I-A transfers come to Southeast from New Mexico State, where Samuel was the head coach from 1997 to 2004.

The group announced on Wednesday -- which includes 12 high school seniors -- also features four players from Samuel's home state of New Jersey.

"You have to use your connections," said Samuel, who was hired as Southeast's coach in December.

The New Mexico State transfers are diminutive wide receiver/return man Stevelan Harper, who will have just one season at Southeast, and running back Clinton Jones, who will be a sophomore in eligibility.

Harper, listed as 5-foot-6 and 155 pounds, caught 12 passes for 97 yards with the Aggies last season, while averaging 7.1 yards on 12 punt returns and 20.6 yards on 13 kickoff returns.

Playing for Samuel in 2004, Harper had 19 receptions for 296 yards, while averaging 10.3 yards on 19 punt returns and 18.7 yards on 21 kickoff returns.

"He is real steady," Samuel said.

Jones, a 6-0, 230-pounder, redshirted at New Mexico State last season.

"He's a big back with great hands," Samuel said.

Samuel and his staff plucked five players from California in addition to the four from New Jersey. The Redhawks also landed two high school players from Florida, which had been a recruiting hotbed for former coach Tim Billings and his staff.

"I'm glad what we were able to do in New Jersey," Samuel said. "I thought we were very fortunate in Florida. Southeast Missouri State has a name there. And California is so big population-wise."

Southeast signed just one player from Missouri on Wednesday, wide receiver/defensive back Edward Calvin from Rockwood Summit High School in St. Louis County.

Samuel said Missouri will be a recruiting priority for the Redhawks, but he said the late hiring of the new staff might have affected Southeast in that area.

Of the late start, Samuel said, "I don't think it hurt us. I think it created new excitement."

But on in-state players, Samuel admitted, "Now, that may have hurt us a little bit, because people got a jump on us."

Asked if he plans to sign more Missouri players in the future, Samuel said, "That's the plan. And not the future. We're not done yet."

Samuel said he and his assistants looked for players with toughness, speed and versatility, enabling them to play either offense or defense.

"In a nutshell, speed, tough, athletic are what we wanted," he said. "We have a nice mix there, and we're still in the market for offensive linemen and a quarterback. We still have some scholarships to give, but I think this gives us a good foundation."

Samuel said he hesitates in singling out particular players on signing day, but in addition to the New Mexico State transfers, he made special note of Leon Hill, a 6-1, 245-pound high school linebacker from Florida.

"He's the best kid we've seen high school-wise on film," Samuel said. "He's a big kid who can run. He just jumps out at you."

Samuel also made note of T.J. Walls, a high school wide receiver from New Jersey who is also a track star. He has been timed at 10.6 seconds in the 100-meters and also clocked 6.42 seconds in the 55-meters, which ranks second nationally.

As for the type of talent Samuel believes he has returning from last season's team that went 2-9, he said, "It's way too early. We've only had one conditioning workout so far. But there are some kids who move around well on the football field."

Samuel, who was introduced as the coach Dec. 21, met the players as a group for the first time in mud-January, when they returned from winter break.

"They're excited," he said. "Hope springs eternal. We're new. Everybody knows they'll get a second chance. If they work hard, they'll get a shot. They were very receptive."

Southeast will begin its first spring practice session under the new coaching staff early next month.

"That will be a critical time," Samuel said.